Tiraspol, 13 September. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Acquiring a UN observer status would strengthen the country’s position in the negotiating process and would provide additional opportunities to protect the rights of its citizens, Pridnestrovie’s ex-foreign minister, Vladimir Yastrebchak, believes.
«This strengthening of our status in negotiations is also the strengthening of our position, our ability to bring it to the attention of the international community. And of course, this relates to the protection of our citizens through various UN institutions. This status would give many powers and opportunities," the expert told Novosti Pridnestrovya.
According to Yastrebchak, the possibility of obtaining this status should not be regarded as unrealistic, especially since the country has already cooperated with the UN.
«With the assistance of Russia, Pridnestrovie used to have the opportunity to bring its stance to the notice of all UN members. There is, therefore, no need to consider the UN as something unrealistic. This is quite an accessible organisation especially for Pridnestrovie, which is officially a party to the negotiating process," said the ex-minister.
«Of course, there will be questions relating to the granting of this status because there are nuances related to Palestine’s lobbying abilities (a UN observer since 2012) as compared to Pridnestrovie. But, nevertheless, if we don’t knock at closed doors, we are unlikely to achieve anything," said the expert.
As we have reported, Pridnestrovie’s intention to ask the United Nations to grant observer status to the country was announced by President Krasnoselsky on 6 September during the opening of the parliament’s autumn session. This initiative was backed by the Supreme Council.
It was earlier reported that Moldova intended to put on the UN General Assembly’s agenda an issue of the withdrawal of Russian troops from Pridnestrovie. Commenting Moldova’s intentions, President Krasnoselsky said it was a direct path to war. Russia’s MFA called this initiative unfriendly and noted it ignored the root cause due to which the Russian military was stationed in Pridnestrovie.
The provisional agenda of the 72nd General Assembly, which was opened on 12 September, does not include the withdrawal of Russian military personnel from Pridnestrovie.
